Eastman Community Music School

Piano Curriculum
2013

Mission Statement of the Piano Department

Our mission is to guide students of all ages in the Art of Piano in ways that are
loving and challenging and to represent a standard of quality for the community. The
goal: to love music.
Adopted by the piano faculty, Spring 2000

Students and families coming to Eastman for piano lessons have a wide range of
expectations and ambitions; we can be many things to many people, and we try to help
students find their own way in a diverse musical universe. We realize that piano skills are
basic in western music, and our Curriculum attempts to guide students to a mastery of
several skill sets in diverse musical styles.

This new 2013 edition of the Piano Curriculum revisits the Eastman Piano
Department Curriculum, which has been in continuous use (with frequent revisions) since
the founding of the Preparatory Department of the School in 1921.

We strongly encourage our piano students to enrich their skills by taking advantage
of the many ECMS Theory course offerings. Recognizing that “ear precedes eye” in
learning to play an instrument, we encourage the playing of folksongs by ear in the early
levels, along with the acquisition of keyboard harmony skills: scales, triads, inversions,
and chord progressions. Teachers may adopt diverse exercises involving ear training,
singing, and movement; many make use of music theory texts alongside piano methods in
the early grades.

Annual examinations provide an ongoing assessment of student progress. ECMS

Piano students are strongly encouraged to play annual examinations. We do not formally
examine piano students in music theory, ear training, or improvisation. The examination
report consists of written commentary and a numeric rating within the level submitted by
the student’s teacher. Six numeric levels follow the introductory level. Levels 4 through 6
are designated by ECMS as “Advanced Division.” Students in these levels will generally
be examined by a jury rather than by an individual teacher.

A student is eligible to receive the Community Music School Diploma in Piano

when he or she achieves at least a 75% score in level 5 and has completed the prescribed
coursework. Most of our piano students, working diligently and consistently, aspire to
achieve this grade. For a complete discussion of our Diploma offerings, see the pertinent
ECMS brochure, or visit the website <www.esm.rochester.edu/community>.

Our Repertoire represents some recommendations; teachers may feel free to

choose other repertoire of similar level in any category. Methods and Collections listed
are likewise offered as representative examples.

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 ECMS Piano Curriculum
Introductory Level

Technique and Keyboard Skills

Play 1 or 2 scales; hands separately, one octave in quarter notes, M.M. ♩ = 72 – 96.

Studies
Alfred Technic Books [1A]
Burnam Dozen a Day [Mini, Preparatory]

Methods
Alfred Premier Piano Course, 1A-1B
Barrett, Carol Chester's Easiest Piano Course Books 1, 2
Boosey & Hawkes The Russian School of Piano Playing, Book 1
Burnam Step-by-Step, Book 1
Clark Music Tree, Time to Begin, Part 1
D'Auberge Piano Course, Book 1
Faber and Faber Piano Adventures, Primer and Level 1
Hal Leonard All-In-One Piano Lessons, Books B, C, D
Olson Music Discoveries; Solos Book A, Music Pathways
Suzuki Piano Method Book 1
Thompson Teaching Little Fingers to Play; Easiest Piano Course 1, 2

Contemporary
Linda Niamath Marching Mice (and others)
Christopher Norton Connections for Piano, Book 1
Donald Waxman Introductory Pageant, Book 1; Folksongs Pageant 1A

Collections
Harris (pub.) Celebration Series, Introductory Book
Snell KJOS Library Piano Repertoire Series, Preparatory

Examination Requirements

Student should play a few pieces to demonstrate beginning competency in duple/triple

meters, staccato/legato touch, piano/forte dynamics.

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 ECMS Piano Curriculum
Level 1

Technique and Keyboard Skills

Scales and Arpeggios, each hand one octave up and down, ♩ =100. 7 major keys,
3 harmonic minors.

Tonic and Dominant chords, hands alone or together, in the keys of the scales.

Etudes
Burnam A Dozen a Day, Book 1
Czerny Studies, Op. 823
Celebration Series Perspectives Piano Etudes, Book 1
Olson Traditional Piano Etudes, Book 1

Methods
Clark, Goss, Holland Music Tree, Parts 2A, 2B
Faber and Faber Piano Adventures, Books 2A, 2B
Hal Leonard Piano Lessons, Books 2, 3
Thompson Easiest Piano Course, Books 2, 3

Collections
Agay Joy of 1st Year Piano
Clark et. al. *Keyboard Literature (Music Tree, Part 3)
Faber and Faber Developing Artist/Piano Literature; Book 1
Harris (pub.) *Celebration Perspectives Piano Repertoire; Intro., Book 1
Olson Essential Keyboard Repertoire, Volume 1

Literature by Composer
Bartok Mikrokosmos, Books 1, 2; First Term at the Piano;
For Children
George, Jon A Day in the Park, A Day in the Jungle, etc.
Norton, Chris Microjazz for Beginners, Microjazz Collection 1
Olson Beginning Sonatinas
Waxman Pageants, Book 2

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Examination Requirements

1. The examiner will ask to hear scales, arpeggios, and chord progressions in one or two
keys. The goal of 7 Major/3 Minor keys is not attainable by all level one students.
Metronome is not used in the examination: tempo is a practice guideline.

2. The student will play three contrasting pieces. Students may be stopped partway
through longer pieces. Examinations are not recitals, and they proceed according to
schedule. Students may be assured that at least a portion of each composition will be
heard.

*Asterisk indicates listing in NYSSMA Level One.

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 ECMS Piano Curriculum
Level 2

Abstract Technique and Keyboard Skills

Scales. Quarter notes and eighth notes, hands separately, M.M. ca. ♩ = 72.

Triad Arpeggios, hand over hand, quarter notes 2 octaves, eighth notes 4 octaves.
Minimum 10 major and 5 minor keys (harmonic form

I, IV, V chord progressions in 5 major and 5 minor keys. Hands together or separately.

Etudes
Burnam A Dozen a Day, Books 1 and 2
Czerny-Germer Selected Studies, Book I/1
Olson, ed. Best Traditional Piano Etudes, Book 1

Baroque Repertoire
Snell KJOS: J.S. Bach, Selections from Anna Magdalena Notebook
Bach, C.P.E. *March D Major (Attr. J.S. Bach), BWV Anh. 122
(Anna Magdalena Notebook)
Bach, J.S. *Minuet G Major, BWV Anh. 116
(Anna Magdelena Notebook)
Handel, G.F. *Bourrée in G Major; “Impertinence,” HWV 494
Petzold, C. *Minuet G Major (Attr. J.S. Bach), BWV Anh. 114
*Minuet G Minor (Attr. J.S. Bach), BWV Anh. 115
Scarlatti, D. *Minuet C Major, L. 217, K. 73

Classic Repertoire (one movement or one dance suffices for examination)

Attwood, T. Sonatina in G Major
Beethoven, L. Sonatina in G Major
Clementi, M. Sonatina in C Major, Op. 36, no. 1
Haydn, J. Six German Dances
Spindler, F. Sonatina in C Major

Romantic to Contemporary Repertoire

Adler, Samuel Gradus, Book 1
Bartok, Bela For Children, Books 1 and 2; Mikrokosmos, Books 1-2
Bernstein, Seymour Moodscapes
Burgműller Progressive Pieces, Opus 100
Caramia, Tony The Sounds of Jazz; Six Sketches
George, Jon Day in the Jungle; Kaleidoscope Books 3-4

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Gretchaninoff Children’s Album, Op. 98
Kabalevsky 24 Pieces for Children, Op. 39
Norton, Chris Microjazz Collection 1; Connections Book 2
Shostakovitch, D *Children’s Pieces
Schumann Album for the Young
Waxman, D Pageants for Piano, Book 2 / Folksong Pageants, Book 1A

Collections
Agay, ed. Easy Classics to Moderns, Vol. 17
Bastien, James Sonatina Favorites, Book I
Clark, Goss, Holland Music Tree Part 3 Keyboard Literature
Faber and Faber Developing Artist Library: Piano Lit. Books 1 & 2
and Sonatinas, Book 1
Harris Celebration Perspectives Piano Repertoire Books 2-3
Olson Essential Keyboard Repertoire, Volume 1

Methods
Hal Leonard Piano Lessons, Books 2, 3, 4
Clark, Goss, Holland Music Tree, Part 3
Faber and Faber Piano Adventures, Books 3A, 3B, Fun Time
Thompson Easiest Piano Course, 3-4

Examination Requirements
1. Examiner will ask to hear scales, arpeggios, and chord progressions in one or two keys.
A metronome is not used in the examination.

2. Student should play four contrasting pieces: an etude, a baroque piece, a classical
piece, and a romantic-contemporary piece.

*Asterisk indicates listing in NYSSMA Level Two

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 ECMS Piano Curriculum
Level 3

Abstract Technique and Keyboard Skills

Scales in quarters, eighths and sixteenths, hands separately. All majors and at least 8
harmonic minors, M.M. ♩ = 92.

Diminished Seventh Arpeggios, similarly, ♩ =72

Triad Arpeggios (root position only), quarters and eighths, hands separately, same keys
as scales, All keys, ♩ = 120.

Chord Progression I-IV-I-V-I in major and minor keys.

Etudes
Czerny-Germer Selected Studies, Book I, part 2
Heller Studies, Opus 46, 47, 125

Baroque
Bach Short Preludes
Handel Various short contrapuntal pieces

Classic
Beethoven Sonatina in F Major
Benda Sonatina in A Minor
Clementi *Sonatinas, Op. 36, No. 2 – 4
Dussek Sonatina in G, Op. 20, No. 1
Kuhlau Sonatinas, Op. 55

Romantic to Contemporary
Bartok Mikrokosmos, Vol 3
Grieg Lyric Pieces
Kabalevsky Variations, Op. 51; Children’s Pieces, Op. 27
Khachaturian Adventures of Ivan
Liebermann, L. Album for the Young
Nakada Japanese Festival
Pinto Scenas Infantis
Prokofiev *Music for Children, Op. 65
Schubert selected easy Ländler, Minuets, Waltzes
Schumann Album for the Young: Knecht Ruprecht
Starer Sketches in Color

Collections

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Faber and Faber Lesson Books 4 – 5; Sonatina bk. 2-3, Developing Artist Bk. 3-4
Harris Celebration Perspectives Piano Repertoire Bk. 3, 4, 5, 6
Myers Spectrum 2: 30 Miniatures for Solo Piano.
Olson Applause, Bk. 1
Various ed. Sonatina Album

Examination Requirements
1. The examiner will ask to hear scales, arpeggios, and chord progressions in one or two
keys. A metronome is not used in the examination: tempos above are given as practice
guidelines.
2. The student will play four contrasting pieces: an etude, a baroque piece, a classical
piece, and a romantic-contemporary piece.

* Asterisk indicates inclusion in the 2003 NYSSMA listing, Level 3. We include this
information for the convenience of students who wish to play for NYSSMA solo
festivals. Be sure to consult the current NYSSMA manual to confirm these listings: they
change from year to year! The NYSSMA catalog uses a 6-level structure, similar to this
Curriculum, but there are relatively few points of congruity between the two lists. One
can often find appropriate repertoire in the NYSSMA catalog by looking one level above
or below our corresponding levels.

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 ECMS Piano Curriculum
Level 4

Abstract Technique

Scales All major and harmonic minor scales are to be played hands together, with
the hands one octave apart: up and down 1 octave in quarter notes, 2
octaves in eighth notes, 3 octaves in triplets, 4 octaves in sixteenth notes, at
about M.M. ♩ = 92.

Arpeggios All diminished sevenths to be played similarly at the same speed; all major
and minor triads to be played in three positions, 1 octave in quarter notes, 2
octaves in eighth notes, 4 octaves in sixteenth notes M.M. ♩ = 80.

Studies
Bertini Studies, Op. 29
Czerny, ed. Germer Selected Studies, I/2

Baroque
Bach Two-Part Inventions
Scarlatti Selected Sonatas

Classic
Beethoven Variations on a Swiss Air, WoO 64
6 Easy Variations on an Original Theme, WoO 77
Sonatas, Op. 49
Clementi *Sonatinas, Op. 36, No. 5-6
Kuhlau Sonatinas, Op. 20, No. 2-3
Mozart *Viennese Sonatinas; *Sonata in C, K. 545; Sonata in F, K. 547a

Romantic to Contemporary
Adler Gradus II
Albeniz 6 Spanish Dances
Bartók Mikrokosmos [III, IV]
S. Bernstein Birds; Moodscapes; Insects
Bloch Enfantines
Casella 11 Pieces Enfantines
Chopin Mazurkas: Op. 7, No. 1-2 (B-flat, a); Op. 67, No. 2, 4 (g, a);
Op. 68, No. 3 (F).
Nocturnes: Op. 15, No. 3 (g); Op. 55, No. 1 (f); Op. Posth. (c).
Polonaises: Op. Posth. B-flat and g.
Preludes: No. 4 (e), No. 6 (b), No. 7 (a).
Waltzes: Op. Posth. a.
Corea Children's Songs
Creston 5 Little Dances; 5 Dances Op. 1
Debussy Arabesque No. 1; Le Petit Negre

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Granados Twelve Spanish Dances
Grieg Lyric Pieces
Kabalevsky Variations, Op. 51; 2 Sonatinas
Khatchaturian Adventures of Ivan
MacDowell Woodland Sketches; Fireside Tales; New England Idylls
Mendelssohn Songs Without Words (easier ones); Children’s Pieces, Op. 72
Pinto Scenas Infantis
Prokofiev Music For Children, Op. 65 (level 3-4)
Schubert German Dances and Waltzes (easier ones)
Scriabin Preludes, Op. 11, No. 2, 4, 15, 17, 22
Starer Sketches in Color; 7 Vignettes; Hexahedron
Tansman Pour Les Enfants; Happy Time I

Collections
Agay, ed. Classics to Moderns Vol 37 "Music for Millions”
Harris Celebration Perspectives Piano Repertoire books 5,6,7,8
Myers Spectrum and Spectrum 3: Contemporary Works for Solo Piano
Olson Applause, Book 2
Sonatina Albums

Examination Requirements

Level 4 examinations will generally be played for a jury of teachers, including the piano
department chairperson.

1. Examiner will ask to hear scales, arpeggios, and chord progressions in one or two keys.
A metronome is not used in the examination: tempos above are given as practice
guidelines.

2. Student will play four contrasting pieces: an etude, a baroque piece, a classical piece,
and a romantic-contemporary piece.

*Asterisk indicates listing in NYSSMA Level Four.

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 ECMS Piano Curriculum
Level 5

Abstract Technique

Scales All major scales are to be played in thirds, sixths, and tenths, 1 octave in
quarter notes, 2 octaves in eighth notes, 3 octaves in triplets, 4 octaves in
sixteenth notes, M.M. q = circa 100. All harmonic minor scales are to be
played with hands an octave apart with the same rhythmic subdivisions and
at the same tempo.

Arpeggios All triads are to be played similarly, in three positions, hands together, one
octave apart, M.M. q = circa 100. All Dim. 7 arpeggios are to be played
similarly at the same speed. All V7 arpeggios are to be played in root
position, inversions optional, 1 octave in quarter notes, 2 octaves in eighth
notes, 3 octaves in triplets, 4 octaves in sixteenth notes, M. M. q = circa 80.

Studies
Berens Studies, Op. 89 [for the left hand]
Czerny The School of Velocity, Op. 299

Baroque
Bach French Suites
Sinfonias

Classic
Beethoven Sonatas Op. 2, No. 1 (c); Op 14, No. 1 (E)
Rondos, Op. 51
Haydn Sonatas Hob. XVI No. 23 (F), 27 (G), 35 (C), 37 (D),
40 (G), 44 (g)
Mozart Sonatas K. 282 (Eb), 283 (G), 330 (C), 332 (F)
Fantasie in D minor, K. 397

Romantic to Contemporary

Albeniz Album of 8 Pieces

Bartok Sonatina; Mikrokosmos [IV, V]; 3 Rondos on Folk Tunes;
Roumanian Folk Dances
Berg Frühe Klaviermusik I
Bloch Poems of the Sea; Visions et Prophesies
Casella 11 Pieces Enfantines
Chopin Mazurkas: Op. 17, No. 1, 2, 4; Op. 24, No. 1-3; Op. 33, No. 3;
Op. 63, No. 2; Op. 68, No. 2.
*Nocturnes: Op. 9, No. 2 (E-flat); *Op. 37, No. 1 (g);
Chopin (cont’d.) Op. 72, No. 1 (e); Op. Posth., c-sharp.
Polonaises: Op. 26, No. 1 (c-sharp); Op. 40, No. 1 (c).

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 Preludes: No. 9, 15, 20.
*Waltzes: Op. 34, No. 2 (a); *Op. 64, No. 1, 2 (D-flat, c-sharp);
Op. 69, No. 1, *2 (A-flat, b); Op. 70, No. 2 (f).
Copland The Cat and the Mouse
Debussy Children's Corner Suite, Reverie, Valse romantique
Gershwin George Gershwin for the Piano (Chappell)
Ginastera 12 American Preludes; Danzas Argentinas; Malambo
Grieg Lyric Pieces
Liszt Consolations
MacDowell Sea Pieces, Op. 55; 10 New England Idylls, Op. 62
Mendelssohn Songs Without Words; 3 Fantasies, Op. 16
Variations in Bb, Op. 83; Scherzo in B minor
Paderewski Minuet in G
Rachmaninoff Moments Musicaux, Op. 16, No. 5
Saint-Saens Valse Nonchalant, Op. 110
Satie various works
Schubert Impromptu in Ab, Op. 142, No. 2; Moments Musicaux
Schumann Waldszenen, Op. 82
Scriabin Preludes, Op. 11, No. 1, 18, 23
Tchaikovsky The Seasons, Op. 37b
Weber Invitation to the Dance; Sonata in C—Rondo

Collections
Harris (pub.) Celebration Perspectives Piano Repertoire, Books 7, 8, 9, 10.

Examination Requirements

Level 5 and 6 examinations will generally be played for a jury, including the piano
department chairperson.

1. Examiner will ask to hear abstract technique in one or two keys. Metronome is not
used in the examination.

2. Student will play four contrasting pieces, including an etude, a baroque piece, a
classical piece, and a romantic-to-contemporary piece.

*Asterisk indicates listing in NYSSMA Level 5.

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 ECMS Piano Curriculum
Level 6

Abstract Technique

Scales All major and harmonic minor scales are to be played in thirds,
sixths and tenths, 2 octaves in eighth notes, 4 octaves in
sixteenth notes, M.M. ♩ = circa 112.
All melodic minor scales to be played with hands one octave apart,
2 octaves in eighth notes, 4 octaves in sixteenth notes,
M.M. ♩= circa 112.

Arpeggios All triads to be played in all positions, similarly,

M.M. ♩ = circa 112. All diminished 7ths and dominant 7ths
(inversions optional) to be played similarly.

Studies
Cramer Studies for the Piano
Moszkowski Etudes, Op. 72
Czerny School of Finger Dexterity, Op. 740

Baroque
Bach The Well-Tempered Clavier; English Suites; Partitas
Handel Keyboard Suites
Scarlatti Sonatas

Classic
Beethoven Sonatas, Op. 14, no. 2 (G); Op. 79 (G)
Haydn Sonatas, Hob. XVI, No. 21 (c), 34 (e), 41 (Ab), 50 (C), 52 (Eb)
Mozart Sonatas, K. 310 (a), 311(D), 331(D), 331(A), 333(Bb), 457(c)

Romantic to Contemporary
Albright Rags
Barber Excursions; Ballade; Nocturne
Bartok Mikrokos. 5-6; Allegro Barbaro; Bagatelles, Op. 6; Suite, Op. 14
Bernstein New Pictures at an Exhibition
Bolcom 3 Ghost Rags
Brahms Rhapsodies Op. 79
Chopin Mazurkas: Op. 17, No. 1; Op. 24, No. 4; Op. 33, No. 2, 4; Op. 50,
No. 1; Op. 59, No. 1, 2; Op. Posth., a, D.
Nocturnes: Op. 9, No. 1 (B-flat); Op. 27, No. 1 (c-sharp); Op. 32,
No. 1 (B); Op. 48, No. 1, 2.
Polonaises: Op. 26, No. 2 (e-flat); Op. 40, No. 2 (c).
Preludes: any not listed in levels 4 – 5.
*Waltzes: Op. 18 (E-flat); Op. 70, No. 1, 3; Op. Posth., e.
Copland 4 Piano Blues; "Rodeo" Dance Episodes; Night Thoughts

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Crumb A Little Suite for Christmas
Debussy *Suite Bergamasque; Danse; Suite Pour le Piano; Preludes
Dello Joio Suite for Piano (Schirmer)
Gershwin *3 Preludes; Gershwin at the Keyboard (Song Improvisations)
Ginastera Suite de Danzas Criollas
Gottschalk Bamboula, Pasquinade, others
Grieg Sonata in E minor, Op. 7; Ballade, Op. 24
Hindemith Sonata No. 2; Ludus Tonalis; Tanzstücke, Op. 9
Hoiby 5 preludes, Op. 7
Honegger Trois Pieces; Sept Pieces Breves
Janacek The Overgrown Path; In the Mist
Kabalevsky Sonatas, Rondos, Op. 60
Khachaturian Toccata
Martin 8 Preludes
Liszt Rhapsodies, Liebesträume, Années de Pelerinage, concert etudes
Mendelssohn Capriccio in F# minor, Op. 5; Fantasie in F# minor, Op. 28;
Rondo capriccioso, Op. 14; Scherzo a capriccio in F#
Menotti Ricercare and Toccata
Messiaen 8 Preludes
Muczynski Preludes, Op. 6; Suite, Op. 13; Seven, Op. 30; Masks, Op. 40
Paderewski Legende in Ab, Op. 16/1; Cracovienne Fantastique, Op. 14/ 6
Poulenc Improvisations, Nocturnes, Promenades, Intermezzi
Prokofiev pieces from Opp. 3, 4, 12, 22, 32, etc.
Rachmaninoff Preludes
Ravel Sonatine
Rochberg Arioso; Bartokiana
Saint-Saens 6 Etudes, Op. 52; 6 Etudes, Op. 111
Schoenberg 6 Little Pieces, Op. 19
Schubert *Impromptus, Op. 90, 142; Sonata in A, Op. 120
Schumann Papillons, Op. 2; Phantasiestücke, Op. 12
Scriabin Preludes, Op. 11, No. 6, 7, 14, 24; Polonasie, Op. 21
Shostakovich Preludes, Op. 34; preludes and fugues
Starer Excursions
Stravinsky Serenade in A; Tango; Piano Rag Music
Talma Pastoral Prelude; Alleluia in Form of Toccata
Tcherepnin various works
Villa Lobos Prolo de Bebe
Weber Sonata No. 2 in Ab, Op. 39

Collections
Harris (pub.) Celebration Perspectives Piano Repertoire, Books 7, 8,
9 (not Kabalevsky Variations), 10.

Examination Requirements and Repertoire Guidelines: see level 5.

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